SEARCH DATABASE
The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
ABOUT 519 RESULTS
Jurisdiction and Access
Maldives
- EnglishThe People’s Majlis may by resolution refer to the Supreme Court for hearing and consideration important questions of law concerning any matter, including the interpretation of the Constitution and the constitutional validity of any statute. The Supreme Court shall answer the questions so referred and shall provide the answers to the People’s Majlis, giving reasons for its answers. The option shall be pronounced in like manner as in the case of a judgement on appeal to the Supreme Court. (Art. 95)
- Dhivehiޤާނޫނުގެ ކަން އޮތްގޮތާއި މެދު އުފެދޭ މުހިއްމު ސުވާލުތަކާ މެދު ނުވަތަ ޤާނޫނީގޮތުން ކަމުއް އޮތްގޮތާމެދު ސުޕްރީމްކޯޓުގެ ލަފައަކަށް އެދި ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުން ފާސްކުރާ ޤަރާރަކުން ސުޕްރީމްކޯޓަށް ހުށަހެޅިދާނެއެވެ. މިގޮތުން ހުށަހެޅޭ ކަންތައްތަކުގެ ތެރޭގައި ޤާނޫނުއަސާސީ މާނަކުރުމުގެ މައްސަލަތަކާއި ވަކި ޤާނޫނެއްގެ ސައްޙަކަމާ މެދު އުފެދޭ ސުވާލުތައް ހިމެނެއެވެ. މިފަދަ ކަންކަމަށް ސުޕްރީމްކޯޓުން ދޭ ލަފާ ބިނާކޮށްފައިވާ ސަބަބުތައް ބަޔާންކުރުމާއެކު އެ ލަފާ ސުޕްފީމްކޯޓުން ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހައް ފޮނުވާންވާނެއެވެ. އެލަފާ އޮންނަންވާނީ އިސްތިނާފު ކުރުމަށް ސުޕްރީމްކޯޓަށް ހުށަހެޅޭ މައްސަލަތަކުގައި އެ ކޯޓުން ނެރޭ ޙުކުމްތަމާ އެއްފަދައިންނެވެ. (ޤާނޫނުއަސާސީގެ 95 ވަނަ މާއްދާ)
Jurisdiction and Access
Malawi
- English...
2. The High Court shall have original jurisdiction to review any law, and any action or decision of the Government, for conformity with this Constitution, save as otherwise provided by this Constitution and shall have such other jurisdiction and powers as may be conferred on it by this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 108)
Jurisdiction and Access
Slovenia
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court decides:
- on the conformity of laws with the Constitution;
- on the conformity of laws and other regulations with ratified treaties and with the general principles of international law;
- on the conformity of regulations with the Constitution and with laws;
- on the conformity of local community regulations with the Constitution and with laws;
- on the conformity of general acts issued for the exercise of public authority with the Constitution, laws, and regulations;
- on constitutional complaints stemming from the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms by individual acts;
- on jurisdictional disputes between the state and local communities and among local communities themselves;
- on jurisdictional disputes between courts and other state authorities;
- on jurisdictional disputes between the National Assembly, the President of the Republic, and the Government;
- on the unconstitutionality of the acts and activities of political parties; and
- on other matters vested in the Constitutional Court by this Constitution or laws.
In the process of ratifying a treaty, the Constitutional Court, on the proposal of the President of the Republic, the Government, or a third of the deputies of the National Assembly, issues an opinion on the conformity of such treaty with the Constitution. The National Assembly is bound by the opinion of the Constitutional Court.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the Constitutional Court decides on a constitutional complaint only if legal remedies have been exhausted. The Constitutional Court decides whether to accept a constitutional complaint for adjudication on the basis of criteria and procedures provided by law. (Art. 160) - SloveneUstavno sodišče odloča:
- o skladnosti zakonov z ustavo;
- o skladnosti zakonov in drugih predpisov z ratificiranimi mednarodnimi pogodbami in s splošnimi načeli mednarodnega prava;
- o skladnosti podzakonskih predpisov z ustavo in zakoni;
- o skladnosti predpisov lokalnih skupnosti z ustavo in z zakoni;
- o skladnosti splošnih aktov, izdanih za izvrševanje javnih pooblastil, z ustavo, zakoni in podzakonskimi predpisi;
- o ustavnih pritožbah zaradi kršitev človekovih pravic in temeljnih svoboščin s posamičnimi akti;
- o sporih glede pristojnosti med državo in lokalnimi skupnostmi, in med samimi lokalnimi skupnostmi;
- o sporih glede pristojnosti med sodišči in drugimi državnimi organi;
- o sporih o pristojnostih med državnim zborom, predsednikom republike in vlado;
- o protiustavnosti aktov in delovanja političnih strank;
- in o drugih zadevah, ki so mu naložene s to ustavo ali z zakoni.
Na predlog predsednika republike, vlade ali tretjine poslancev državnega zbora izreka ustavno sodišče v postopku ratifikacije mednarodne pogodbe mnenje o njeni skladnosti z ustavo. Državni zbor je vezan na mnenje ustavnega sodišča.
Če zakon ne določa drugače, odloča ustavno sodišče o ustavni pritožbi le, če je bilo izčrpano pravno varstvo. O tem, ali ustavno sodišče ustavno pritožbo sprejme v obravnavo, odloči na podlagi meril in postopka, določenih z zakonom. (160. Člen)
Jurisdiction and Access
Panama
- EnglishAmong the constitutional and legal functions of the Supreme Court of Justice shall be the following:
1. To guard the integrity of the Constitution. For this purpose, and after hearing the opinion of the Attorney General of the Nation or the Solicitor General of the Administration, the Court in plenary session shall try and rule on cases concerning the unconstitutionality of laws, decrees, decisions, resolutions and other acts that for reasons of substance or form are challenged before it, by any person.
When during the proceedings of a case, the public official entrusted with the administration of Justice considers, or it is observed by one of the parties, that the legal or regulatory provision applicable to the case is unconstitutional, he/she shall submit the question to the cognizance of the Court in plenary session, except when the provision has already been the subject of a decision, and shall order a continuance of the case, until the question of constitutionality is decided.
The parties only shall be able to formulate such observations one time during the process of a case;
… (Art. 206) - SpanishLa Corte Suprema de Justicia tendrá, entre sus atribuciones constitucionales y legales, las siguientes:
1. La guarda de la integridad de la Constitución para lo cual la Corte en pleno conocerá y decidirá, con audiencia del Procurador General de la Nación o del Procurador de la Administración, sobre la inconstitucionalidad de las Leyes, decretos, acuerdos, resoluciones y demás actos que por razones de fondo o de forma impugne ante ella cualquier persona.
Cuando en un proceso el funcionario público encargado de impartir justicia advirtiere o se lo advirtiere alguna de las partes que la disposición legal o reglamentaria aplicable al caso es inconstitucional, someterá la cuestión al conocimiento del pleno de la Corte, salvo que la disposición haya sido objeto de pronunciamiento por parte de ésta, y continuará el curso del negocio hasta colocarlo en estado de decidir.
Las partes sólo podrán formular tales advertencias una sola vez por instancia.
… (Art. 206)
Jurisdiction and Access
Palestine
- EnglishThe High Court shall temporarily assume all duties assigned to administrative courts and to the High Constitutional Court, unless they fall within the jurisdiction of other judicial entities, in accordance with applicable laws. (Art. 104)
- Arabicتتولى المحكمة العليا مؤقتاً كل المهام المسندة للمحاكم الإدارية والمحكمة الدستورية العليا ما لم تكن داخله في اختصاص جهة قضائية أخرى وفقاً للقوانين النافذة. (المادّة 104)
Jurisdiction and Access
Mozambique
- English1. The Constitutional Council shall with, general binding force, evaluate and pronounce upon the unconstitutionality of laws and the illegality of other normative acts of State offices, at any time during which they are in force.
2. The following may request the Constitutional Council to pronounce upon the unconstitutionality of laws, or on the illegality of normative acts of State offices:
a. the President of the Republic;
b. the President of the Assembly of the Republic;
c. at least one third of the deputies of the Assembly of the Republic;
d. the Prime Minister;
e. the Attorney General of the Republic;
f. the Ombudsman;
g. two thousand citizens.
3. The law shall establish rules on the admission of actions for the evaluation of unconstitutionality. (Art. 244) - Portuguese1. O Conselho Constitucional aprecia e declara, com força obrigatória geral, a inconstitucionalidade das leis e a ilegalidade dos demais actos normativos dos órgãos do Estado, em qualquer momento da sua vigência.
2. Podem solicitar ao Conselho Constitucional a declaração de inconstitucionalidade das leis ou de ilegalidade dos actos normativos dos órgãos do Estado:
a) o Presidente da República;
b) o Presidente da Assembleia da República;
c) um terço, pelo menos, dos deputados da Assembleia da República;
d) o Primeiro-Ministro;
e) o Procurador-Geral da República;
f) o Provedor de Justiça;
g) dois mil cidadãos.
3. A lei regula o regime de admissão das acções de apreciação de inconstitucionalidade. (Art. 244)
Jurisdiction and Access
Fiji
- English…
(5) Cabinet may seek an opinion from the Supreme Court on any matter concerning the interpretation or application of this Constitution. (Sec. 91) - iTaukei…
(5) Na Boseyaco me taro ivakasala i na Mataveilewai Cecere ena vuku ni kena vakamacalataki na Yavunivakavulewa qo. (Sec. 91)
Jurisdiction and Access
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of section 22(2), 38(8)(b), 102(2) and 105(10) of this Constitution, any person who alleges that any provisions of this Constitution (other than a provision of Chapter 13 thereof) has been or is being contravened may, if he has a relevant interest, apply to the High Court for a declaration and for relief under this section.
(2) The High Court shall have jurisdiction on an application made under this section to determine whether any provision of this Constitution (other than a provision of Chapter 1 thereof) has been or is being contravened and to make a declaration accordingly.
(3) Where the High Court makes a declaration under this section that a provision of this Constitution has been or is being contravened and the person on whose application the declaration is made has also applied for relief, the High Court may grant to that person such remedy as it considers appropriate, being a remedy available generally under any law in proceedings in the High Court.
(4) The Chief Justice may make rules with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and powers conferred on the Court by or under this section, including provisions with respect to the time within which any application under this section may be made.
(5) A person shall be regarded as having a relevant interest for the purpose of an application under this section only if the contravention of this Constitution alleged by him is such as to affect his interests.
(6) The rights conferred on a person by this section to apply for a declaration and relief in respect of an alleged contravention of this Constitution shall be in addition to any other action in respect of the same matter that may be available to that person under any law.
(7) Nothing in this section shall confer jurisdiction on the High Court to hear or determine any such question as is referred to in section 36 of this Constitution. (Sec. 96)
Jurisdiction and Access
Timor-Leste
- English1. The Supreme Court of Justice is the highest court of law and the guarantor of a uniform enforcement of the law, and has jurisdiction throughout the national territory.
2. It is also incumbent on the Supreme Court of Justice to administer justice on matters of legal, constitutional and electoral nature.
… (Sec. 124) - Tetum1. Tribunál Supremu Justisa nian mak órgaun boot liu iha órgaun ierarkia tribunál judisiál hotu-hotu ninian, no mós fó garantia atu aplika lei oin ida de’it ho jurisdisaun iha nasaun tomak nia laran.
2. Kompete mós ba Tribunál Supremu Justisa nian atu administra justisa ba buat ne’ebé konaba lia jurídiku-konstitusionál no eleitorál.
… (Art. 124) - Portuguese1. O Supremo Tribunal de Justiça é o mais alto órgão da hierarquia dos tribunais judiciais e o garante da aplicação uniforme da lei, com jurisdição em todo o território nacional.
2. Ao Supremo Tribunal de Justiça compete também administrar justiça em matérias de natureza jurídico-constitucional e eleitoral.
… (Art. 124)
Jurisdiction and Access
Nigeria
- English(1) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution arises in any proceedings in any court of law in any part of Nigeria (other than in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court) and the court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any of the parties to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court having jurisdiction in that part of Nigeria and the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court shall
(a) if it is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; or
(b) if it is of opinion that the question does not involve a substantial question of law, remit the question to the court that made the reference to be disposed of in accordance with such directions as the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court may think fit to give.
(2) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court, and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; and where any question is referred in pursuance of this subsection, the court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision.
(3) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Court of Appeal and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Supreme Court which shall give its decision upon the question and give such directions to the Court of Appeal as it deems appropriate. (Sec. 295)